Tablet-forming machine



No. 625,347. Patented May 23, I899. A. n. mmms.

TABLET FORMING MACHINE.

(Application filed Dec. 30, 1898.) (No Model.) 2 Show-Sheet l.

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Patented May 23, I899.

A. R. MORRIS. TABLET FORMING MACHINE.

(Application filed Dec. 30, 189B.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

67/ I IV/ 7 PNITED I STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ABRAHAM ROWLAND MORRIS, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

TABLET-FORMING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 625,347, dated May 23, 1899.

Application filed December 30, 1898. Serial No. 700,705. (No model.)

To all whonc it may concern:

Be it known that I, ABRAHAM ROWLAND MORRIS, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tablet-FormingMachines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention has relation to a tablet-forming machine of the'type wherein the tablet or lozenge is formed in a die by means of two oppositely-arranged plungers, and in such connection it relates to the construction and arrangement of such a machine.

The principal objects of my invention are, first, to provide a tablet-forming machine in conjunction with a lower reciprocating plunger, two adjusting-brackets located on the shaft of the plunger, whereby the movement of said plunger up or down may be regulated in the formation of tablets or lozenges of varying thicknesses, and two takeups separately adjustable with respect to said brackets; second, to provide in such a machine, in conjunction with theshaft for operating the take-ups, a C-shaped yoke or bracket forming an extension for the shaft and adapted in operative position to inclose the power-shaft and readily removable from the machine, said yoke having a roller adapted to engage a suitable cam on the power-shaft to receive from said cam the necessary reciprocatory motion, and, third, to provide in such a machine a cam of peculiar construction for operating the said yoke, said cam having a portion of its periphery slotted or cut away to permit of the removal of the yoke and its roller from the machine.

My invention, stated in general terms, consists of a tablet-machine constructed and arranged in substantially the manner hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

The nature and scope of my invention will be more fully understood from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, forming part hereof, in which Figure l is a front elevational view, partly in vertical section, of a machine embodying the main features of my invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the eccentric, divided strap, and shaft for operating the upper plunger. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the machine on the line 00 0c of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a top or plan View of the cam and yoke adapted to transmit reciprocatory movement to the lower plunger. Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view on the line 9 y of Fig. 1, illustrating the upper adjusting-bracket and the upper take-up, respectively, in top or plan view. Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional View of the two adjusting-brackets and take-ups in operative position on their respective shafts. Fig. 7 is a similar view illustrating a modified form of the take-up of Fig. 6, and Fig. 8 is a top or plan view of Fig. 7.

Referring to the drawings, a represents the pedestal or base of the machine, upon which is supported the main framework a as Well as the curved bracket or standard of, forming bearings a 'for the counter-shaft a of the machine. The framework a supports the power-shaft a and also a table I), in which is suitably supported a die b, within which a pill, tablet, or lozenge is to be formed by the coaction of the upper plunger 61 and lower plunger e,which at certain intervals are caused to approach each other within the die to compress the loose material fed to the die.

In the drawings of the present application I have not illustrated the mechanism for conveying from the receptacle 6 to the die I) the material to be compressed, since such mechanism forms part of a companion application filed under even date herewith and serially numbered 700,706.

The upper plunger cl is preferably held in a split sleeve or chuck d on the end of a shaft d by means of a tightening-untol and the shaft d is pivoted, as at 01 to the lower member f of a divided strap which encircles an eccentric f secured to and traveling with the poWer-' shaft a of the machine. The upper member f and lower member f of the strap are bolted ter a two-throw cam-plate g and a peripheral rim or flange g In the groove thus formed is adapted to travel a roller k secured to a C-shaped yoke or bracket h, and as the cam revolves it is adapted to raise and lower the yoke it through its roller 77/ The yoke incloses or partially surrounds the power-shaft a as illustrated in Fig. 3, but can be readily removed from the machine, if desired, its opening it permitting it to slip past the shaft a The peripheral flange or rim g of the cam g is partly cut away, as at g to permit the roller h to slip out of the groove in said cam, and to thereby release the yoke from its connection with the said cam.

To the lower end of yoke h is secured the upper end of a shaft k, guided in the framework a and having a reciproeatory movement conveyed to it by the yoke h. At or near the lower end of this shaft are located the two take-ups 7c and k each of which is preferably constructed as follows: The take-up consists of the forked end it body portion 70 and split sleeve portion 1.1 which latter portion is adapted to embrace the shaft 76 and to be tightly clamped thereto by means of the tightening-bolts 7c. .The two take-ups are inclependently adjustable on the shaft 70 and compensate, respectively, for the upper and lower adjustment of the lower plunger 6, as well as for the wear and tear upon the yoke h or cam The forked ends 70 of the two take-ups surround aud slide upon the shaft 6' of the lower plunger e, and their range of movement is limited by the position of the upper and lower adjusting-brackets m and m on said shaft 6. These ad justing-brackets m and m each consists of a split strap surrounding the shaft 6- and tightly clamped thereon by means of the bolts m which when tightened draw the members of the strap together and bind them tightly to the shaft.

In the operation of the machine it is frequently necessary to change the range of movement of the lower plunger 6, whereby tablets or lozenges of varying thicknesses may .be produced. The simplicity of construction of my two adj Listing-brackets m and m enables this to be easily and quickly accomplished, for all that is necessary is to loosen the bolts at one side of each strap sufficiently to permit the brackets to turn or slide on the shaft 6, after which the adj usting-brackets may be independently slid to the required position and quickly and easily locked in that position by retightening the bolts. The take-ups 7a and 70 may be simi larly manipulated to compensate for this ad justment or to compensate for wear and tear of the operating yoke or cam.

In Figs. 7 and 8 a modified means for adjusting the take-ups is illustrated, wherein the shaft is is reversely threaded, as at 10 to receive two screwcollars Z0 and 10 which are adapted to turn on the shaft 70, the take-ups Z0 and 70 being cut away, as at 70 to permit the collars to turn. In this form the operator can adjust the take-ups more accurately, for instead of moving each take-up manually after the bolts have been loosened the screwcollars are advanced or lowered on the shaft is to indicate the position the take-ups should occupy.

Having thus described the-nature and objects of my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a machine of the character described, a lower reciprocating plunger, two adj usting brackets located on the shaft of said plunger, a second shaft, means forreciprocating said second shaft, and two take-ups each comprising a forked end portion sliding on the shaft of the plunger, a body portion and a split sleeve portion surrounding the second shaft and adapted to be clamped thereon, substan tially as and for the purposes described.

2. In a machine of the character described, in combination with a main power-shaft and a lower reciprocating plunger, a shaft and intermediate connections adapted to operate said plunger, a C-shaped yoke secured to said shaft and adapted to surround the power shaft and to be withdrawn therefrom, and means, controlled by the power-shaft, for raising and lowering said yoke, substantially as and for the purposes described.

3. In a machine of the character described, in combination with a main power-shaft, a lower reciprocating plunger, a C-shaped yoke and intermediate mechanism for reciprocating said plunger, a roller carried by said yoke and a cam secured to said shaft in which the roller is guided, and said cam having a pcripheral flange partly cut away to permit of the withdrawal of the roller from said cam, substantially as and for the purposes described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my signature in the presence of two subscrib ing witnesses.

ABRAHAM ROWLAND MORRIS. Vitnesses:

J. WALTER DOUGLASS, THOMAS M. SMITH. 

